Posted on 11/29/2012 4:18:31 AM PST by SECURE AMERICA
Prudhomme’s Lost Cajun Kitchen restaurant in Lancaster County will continue offering its Sunday church bulletin discount, despite a complaint the promotion discriminates against faith.
Earlier this year, John Wolff of Lancaster County filed the complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission saying the Louisiana-inspired restaurant in Columbia should not give 10 percent discounts to diners who bring in church bulletins on Sundays.
At the time, Wolff, who is an atheist and member of the Freedom from Religion Foundation said, “I bear them no ill will, but they shouldn’t be pushing religion."
After an investigation, the Human Relations Commission recommended both parties agree to a settlement, said Shannon Powers, agency spokeswoman. Under the settlement, Prudhomme’s is permitted to continue the bulletin discount but the restaurant must change the promotion’s wording so it does not exclude any type of religious institution, Powers said.
Restaurant owner Sharon Prudhomme said she will offer the discount to people of all faiths and that the intention of the promotion was never meant to discriminate.
“We were confident we did nothing wrong .. and, we certainly are not prejudice,” she said.
“All I wanted them to do is admit ‘Hey, they are not prejudiced,” Prudhomme added.
Prudhomme had always stressed that diners of all religious backgrounds were welcome to pick up bulletins at any church and bring them in for the discount.
About a year ago, Prudhomme’s started offering the 10 percent discounts to diners who bring in a current church bulletin on Sundays. The promotion was designed to boost business on a traditionally slow business day.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation contacted Prudhomme’s before Wolff filed the complain. The foundation is made up of agnostics and atheists who fight government displays of religion.
The story went national, and Prudhomme appeared on several radio and television shows including “Fox & Friends.”
As a result of the publicity, Prudhomme said business at the restaurant increased. She said she received thousands of emails in support, including one from the U.S. troops in Afghanistan as well as from around the world and from all of the 50 states except Hawaii, Alaska, Vermont and Massachusetts. Several atheists, who she said told her they do not take offense to the Sunday promotion, have also contacted her.
Prudhomme worked pro bono with two attorneys including Randall Wenger of the Independence Law Center in Harrisburg. Wenger said anti-discrimination laws were not designed to “honor a public good like church attendance.”
“This was a good common sense result that doesn’t undermine our traditions. It doesn’t undermine our values,” Wenger said.
NYC Nazis are worse.
Yes.
In Denver, years ago, there was a neon sign seen from I-25 close to downtown which said, "PRAYER CHANGES THINGS".
What a comfort to see that sign as a sleepy little girl, while our dad drove us all home from visiting relatives in Fort Collins. It always made me happy. Innocent times...
“Permitted to continue”? Welcome to Obamanation - where stupid people write the laws and the news.
How does a human relations comission have any authority to dictate policy in the first place?
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